US Launches Airstrikes Against ISIS

Trending News: US And Allies Launch Airstrikes Against ISIS In Syria

Why Is This Important?

This is the first time U.S. military has launched airstrikes in Syria, including on the ISIS headquarters in the Syrian-state of Raqqa, opening a new chapter in the fight against the terrorist organisation.

Long Story Short

U.S. and Arab allies have undertaken 20 airstrike operations on ISIS targets in Syria.

Long Story

Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby confirmed Tuesday that U.S. and Arab allies had begun taking military action against ISIS-owned buildings in Syria, marking the first time the U.S. has made strikes on the country.

The 20 airstrike targets included ISIS-owned weapons supplies, depots, barracks and buildings in the ISIS-controlled north central Syrian state of Raqqa and along the porous Iraq border.

The recent strikes come after U.S. President Barack Obama made a stern warning to terrorists in a national address on September 10 that threats will be met with military retaliation, saying, “I have made it clear that we will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country, wherever they are. That means I will not hesitate to take action against ISIL [ISIS] in Syria as well as Iraq.

“This is a core principle of my presidency: If you threaten America, you will find no safe haven.”

Using a mix of Predator and Raptor drones, bombers and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles fired from U.S. Navy Ships, alongside Arab warplanes, the retaliation has been one of substantial force.

Up until Tuesday, the U.S.-led military effort against ISIS has been focused on Iraq, whose government asked for the U.S. to step in. The strikes in Syria, part of an ongoing operation, were originally reported to have taken place without approval of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. However, Syria's foreign ministry later released a statement saying they had been warned about the strikes.

So far, the total number of U.S. coordinated airstrikes against ISIS is approximately 200.

Own The Conversation

Ask The Big Question: Was the decision to coordinate airstrikes on ISIS in Syria without the local government’s permission risky? Can ISIS be destroyed from the sky?

Disrupt Your Feed: Obama makes good on his warning to ISIS in Syria, fighting fire with fire.

Drop This Fact: The strikes included the first deployment of the most expensive fighter jets in history, the F-22 Raptor. At $420 million each, the jets cost more than the Saudi Prince Alwaleed’s custom private Boeing 747, which includes a marble-finished Turkish bath, five luxury suites and enough parking space for a Rolls-Royce.

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